The first major event of the upcoming NFL season takes place this week in Detroit: the NFL Draft. With a stacked quarterback class and at least seven teams in need of a new starting QB, this is the most unpredictable draft in several years. Without further ado, here’s a brief look at the 2024 NFL Draft, which begins Thursday, April 25 at 8pm ET on NFL Network, ESPN, and ABC. Not a DISH subscriber? Follow this link to find the best offer and subscribe to DISH today!
Which Channels Have NFL Draft Coverage?
There will be three different broadcasts featuring live draft coverage and analysis. Here’s what you can expect from each:
- NFL Network: Rich Eisen, Daniel Jeremiah, Charles Davis and Joel Klatt will be at the exterior set on Friday during the First Round, while Kurt Warner and Ian Rapoport work the interior set, and Kaylee Hartung reports from the stage. Peter Schrager joins for coverage on Saturday and Sunday.
- ESPN: According to MLive, ESPN’s coverage will “focus on areas of need for each team, the draftee’s football resume – with highlights and analysis on his playing style, technique and physical attributes – and how he will fit in with the team that drafted him.” Talent in Detroit includes Mike Greenberg, Mel Kiper Jr., Booger McFarland, Louis Riddick, Adam Schefter, Molly McGrath, and Matt Miller (Saturday).
- ABC: MLive reports that ABC’s coverage will “provide player analysis with a deeper emphasis on storytelling, providing viewers insight into the draftee’s background and journey to the NFL.” ABC’s coverage includes Rece Davis, Nick Saban, Field Yates, Kirk Herbstreit, Desmond Howard, Pete Thamel, and Laura Rutledge.
Here’s a breakdown of Draft Coverage by day:
- Round 1: Thursday, April 25, beginning at 8pm ET.
- Rounds 2 and 3: Friday, April 26, beginning at 7pm ET.
- Rounds 4 through 7: Saturday, April 27, beginning at noon ET.
What are the Biggest Storylines of the Draft?
Quarterback questions. Although there is little doubt that the Chicago Bears will draft USC Heisman winner Caleb Williams with the No. 1 overall pick, there is a ton of speculation as to what happens next. Williams’ fellow Heisman winner Jayden Daniels is widely considered the second best prospect, but there’s some speculation that the Washington Commanders could be open to trading the second-overall pick. Assuming Williams and Daniels go 1-2, things get interesting starting with the third pick held by the New England Patriots. In the team’s first draft in nearly 25 years without Bill Belichick, they’ll have their pick among several top QB prospects, while also fielding calls from other teams looking to move up. Whatever the Pats do, it will create a domino effect that makes the rest of the first round difficult to predict.
Other storylines include:
- Don’t Pass on a Wide Receiver – Starting with Marvin Harrison Jr. to the Arizona Cardinals at No. 4, Jordan Reid’s final ESPN mock draft has four WRs going off the board in the first 15 picks, and six in the First Round.
- AFC Stressed? – With the Kansas City Chiefs again picking last in the First Round thanks to their second Super Bowl win in as many years, what will their division rivals do? The LA Chargers have the fifth pick, and they could flip it into a gold mine from a team looking to move up to get a QB, or keep it and draft an elite offensive lineman or receiver. And with the Denver Broncos and Las Vegas Raiders picking back-to-back at No. 12 and 13 respectively, would either try to outmaneuver the other to draft a much-needed franchise QB? Fascinating choices abound for AFC West team.
- A Giant Decision – One year after signing QB Daniel Jones to a four-year, $160m contract, the New York Giants have the No. 6 pick and a ton of tantalizing quarterbacks to choose from. Will the Giants take a pass thrower to replace Jones? Will they address their gaping void at wide receiver? Will they trade the pick? All of these options are on the table and playing in perhaps the toughest division in football adds a sense of urgency to get it right.
